Kiplimo's USPA award excites Kiprop
Mar 04, 2014
UPON hearing news that his colleague Abraham Kiplimo had won Nile Special USPA award for the month of February, Jackson Kiprop warned that more was yet to come
By Swalley Kenyi
Nile Special USPA Sports Personality of February
Abraham Kiplimo 355 points
Kobs Rugby Club 320 points
KCCA FC 320 points
Prisons Darts Club 195 points
UPON hearing news that his colleague Abraham Kiplimo had won Nile Special USPA award for the month of February, Jackson Kiprop warned that more was yet to come for Ugandan athletes this year.
Pintsized Kiplimo on Monday won the USPA accolade for the biggest achievement in his career so far during the month at the 63rd annual Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon in 2:09:23, an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, in Japan.
In a tightly contested monthly award, Kiplimo came ahead of Kobs Rugby Club and KCCA FC, who wer both tied on 320 points while Prisons Darts Club came the fourth with 195 points at the scribes’ assembly at Lugogo Tennis Club.
“That is good. It is. He (Kiplimo) is in Bukwo (training) but I can tell you more of those USPA awards are yet to come for us (athletes),” Kiprop stated.
The award was for Kiplimo’s extraordinary effort in beating over 3,600 runners to win the Beppu-Oita marathon in Japan.
Despite the foggy day with temperatures averaging 15 degrees and a high humidity of over 86% Kiplimo clocked 2:09:23 seconds to emerge top.
The win made the 24-year old athlete the first Ugandan to win the IAAF event and among just a handful Ugandan marathoners who have run below 2 hours 10 minutes.
The Nile Special USPA assembly was preceded by former FIFA referee Ali Tomusange taking the members through a referee’s experience and why they take some decisions during matches.